RAISE THE ROOF...top tent!

[Brianj5600]

I'll soon be starting a trailer build and would like the tent as low as possible when traveling. I would also like the option of lifting up the tent. I remember seeing a couple, but I'm having trouble finding them again. I'm curious if the people that have built an adjustable height tent platform have any advice on this.

 

[flipmachine]

gonna follow this

 

[Hoologan]

Habitat Ofroad used gas struts to help lift the RTT on a Smitty Scout trailer. Checks the Smittybilt Scout thread.

 

[Pierre C]

What I've done is to replace to put 80 pd lift support strut inside pup-tent trailer mast. here's the diving and the fully deployed configurations.

 

[Brianj5600]

I like that. Where did you get your masts? 4 struts? How hard is it to get back down?

 

[Brianj5600]

This one seems like an option too. https://expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/toby-the-turtleback-trailer-build-thread.187861/

 

[Motorradmark]

Following. Do those who use gas struts fit them inside the bar or outside?

 

[Pierre C]

I like that. Where did you get your masts? 4 struts? How hard is it to get back down?

I found the mast on Kijiji, they were used. I had to strip them from their pulleys and wires, cut them etc... I've found my lift support there: https://www.liftsupportsdepot.com/

If you look at the fully deployed trailer picture, it' a view from the front. You will see a small winch.

 

[Pierre C]

This one seems like an option too. https://expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/toby-the-turtleback-trailer-build-thread.187861/

It's depend of the high you wish and from what trailer you start.

Following. Do those who use gas struts fit them inside the bar or outside?

Yes, it's all inside.

 

[Shwane]

I used linear actuators to lift mine up 20'' to annex height. Then wired each motor individually so I don't have to level the trailer anymore, I just drop the stabilizing legs and level my tent frame once its up to height.

 

[Hoghead]

I used linear actuators to lift mine up 20'' to annex height. Then wired each motor individually so I don't have to level the trailer anymore, I just drop the stabilizing legs and level my tent frame once its up to height.

Shwane,
How do you handle binding with the uneven lifting?

I used actuators also and have had some mixed results. Worked well at first, but if you have issues with one it causes issues getting it lifted.

 

[Shwane]

I haven't had any issues with binding yet, I can control them individually so later if one slows down, I can stop the other three until it catches up. I also sprayed some dry graphite lubricant on my internal tubes.

 

[nated]

This is another one I've found that's quite interesting:


The guy is a user here on ExPo, but hasn't replied to my questions.

 

[nated]

Here's some more for the idea bin:

 

[TroySmith80]

This is another one I've found that's quite interesting:


The guy is a user here on ExPo, but hasn't replied to my questions.

That's pretty clever in some ways, but it doesn't look like it would have any stability in the raised (or lowered for that matter) position and would get wrecked pretty quick in actual usage. It's a good start on a proof of concept though. I wonder how he plans to hold it in position.